Vancouver Attractions

Swaying high above the Capilano River in North Vancouver, the wire-framed Capilano Suspension Bridge was created in 1889. Walk across and you'll see the raging water of the Capilano River far below, hemmed in by the tall trees of an old growth forest. Children will also want to check out the new Treetops Adventure, where bridges 200 feet high are connected to the large tree trunks. Don't miss the homemade fudge, including the Marvelous Mud Pie. Admission provides access to the bridge, Treetops Adventures, Cliffhanger Walk, a Living Forest exhibit, guided eco tours, Story Center history walk, and the park's seven-acre West Coast rain forest. Dining, a gift shop, and arts and crafts by First Nations artisans are also available.

Housed in a century-old factory, the Kids Market houses more than two-dozen stores geared to children. Expect to find toys, games, clothing and kites that can handle the Vancouver ocean breeze. A family arcade and multi-level indoor play area will keep the kids happy while you pick up some great kids clothes.

Another section of Stanley Park is devoted to totem poles depicting common northwestern motifs of whales, salmon, and bear. It will whet your appetite for the magnificent totems found at the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology. Enter the concrete and glass building, designed to resemble a First Nations longhouse, and you'll be treated to massive totems in the Great Hall. Haida, Coast Salish, and Nisga'a Tribes carved their figures into large cedar logs, many from the late 19th century when the art form reached its peak.

Ringing the entire perimeter of the park is a seawall, offering spectacular vistas of the Pacific to the west and the snowcapped peaks to the north. Bike trails line the seawall and then venture through the interior where tall sequoia trees, some more than 800 years old, tower above hidden ponds and creeks. No wonder locals call this enchanted forest "the thousand-acre therapeutic couch."

Adding to the tranquil allure, especially for the kids, is the fact that Stanley Park is also home to the Vancouver Aquarium. Spot the sea otters and beluga whales in the pools, or sign up to feed the large Steller sea lion, Tag. Born on the rocky shores of British Columbia, the 1200-pound big guy has a steady diet of salmon and his favorite fish, herring.